Stories for July 7th 2010

Brazil officially launched Tuesday the campaign for October presidential election which begins with a polarized scenario and the two main candidates, incumbent Dilma Rousseff and opposition hopeful Jose Sierra virtually even in vote intention according to the latest public opinion polls.

The Argentine consul in Punta Arenas downplayed the alleged repercussions of the recent trip of eight Chilean students to the Falkland Islands allegedly in the framework of a “written understanding” between the extreme south Chilean city council and Falklands authorities.

Uruguayan merchant and naval shipping is under continuous harassment from the Argentine Navy in South Atlantic international waters, a new chapter of the difficult relations between the neighbouring countries, reports Montevideo’s main daily El Pais, quoting undisclosed Parliament sources.

Argentine president Cristina Kirchner will be signing 10 billion US dollars in trade agreements with China during her official visit to the Asian giant scheduled to begin next July 13, according to Foreign Affairs minister Hector Timerman.

The European Union and Latinamerica could play a crucial role in helping solve the Middle East conflict said Syrian president Bashar al-Assad following an offer from Spanish president Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero to mediate in a Damascus-Israel dialogue.

Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer announced Tuesday the creation of a technical-services subsidiary in China, where the company has been building planes since 2003 in a joint venture with a Chinese firm.

United States Under-secretary of State for Hemisphere Affairs, Arturo Valenzuela, said Honduras' re-incorporation to the Organization of American States (OAS) is progressing and that it is only a matter of time.